What is the advantage of clinical use of humulin over use of conventional ox of pig insulin

Options

A. It does not cause immunological problems
B. It is cheaper for the patient
C. It is produced by E. coli in our intestine
D. There is no advantage

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Humulin and Its Source**:
- Humulin is a form of human insulin that is produced using recombinant DNA technology. It is identical to the insulin produced by the human pancreas.

2. **Historical Context of Insulin Use**:
- Before the development of Humulin, insulin was extracted from the pancreas of animals, primarily pigs (porcine insulin) and cows (bovine insulin).

3. **Structural Differences**:
- There are slight structural differences between animal insulin and human insulin. These differences can lead to variations in how the body reacts to the insulin.

4. **Immune Response to Animal Insulin**:
- When animal insulin was administered to diabetic patients, some individuals developed antibodies against the foreign animal insulin. This immune response could lead to allergic reactions and other complications.

5. **Advantages of Humulin**:
- The primary advantage of using Humulin over animal insulin is that it does not provoke an immune response, thus reducing the risk of allergic reactions.
- Additionally, Humulin is produced in a controlled environment, making it more consistent in quality and potency.
- It is generally more cost-effective for patients due to the efficiency of recombinant DNA technology.

6. **Conclusion**:
- The clinical use of Humulin provides significant advantages over conventional pig or ox insulin, primarily due to its compatibility with the human body and reduced risk of immunological problems.